Strand Studios has been recognized as a Safe Music School from the National Safe Music Schools Organization. We are the first and only school in the area to have received this recognition!

We teach music lessons, acting classes, film classes, preschool music, and more!

Technologically Advanced Facilities

Meet the Directors

Welcome to Strand! Conceived by Prof. Chris Lance for learning and fun in music and arts. Whether for your own personal enjoyment or pursing a career in the industry, Strand Studios is the right place for you! Chris started his musical journey with drums at the age of four. He added guitar in second grade, trumpet in third grade, piano in fifth grade, and so forth. Chris holds a Masters in Music Technology, a Bachelors in Music Education and certificates in music business, music performance, and audio engineering. He is an accomplished music teacher, music director, recording artist, choir director, and performer. In addition, Chris studied at Bergen College, the Lee Strasberg Institute, and the Sanford Meisner method privately. He is an accomplished film, stage actor, and director. In addition, Chris owns and directs for his independent film company, Paladin Knight Pictures and directs play for the local troupe, The Strand Performance Group. Alison holds a Master of Music Education, with a certificate in Modern Band, a Bachelors in Music with a Concentration in Music Education, Associates in Music, a certificate in Music Theory, a certificate in Piano Pedagogy, and a minor in Social Media Marketing. Alison began her music eduction in elementary school with recorder, voice, saxophone, and piano. Alison is an accomplished musician, teacher, and performer.

Chris Lance, Founder and President 

Alison Ervin, Office Manager and co-owner

BIANNUAL STUDENT SHOWCASE

Our Students love performing on the Stage!

Acting Classes

Musical Theatre Classes

Music Lessons

Testimonials

Technologically Advanced Facilities

String/Wind Ensemble

Upcoming Events

1. Piano/Keyboard, Guitar, Drums/Percussion, Voice/Singing, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Ukulele, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Baritone, Recorder, Xylophone, Acting, Film, String/Wind Ensemble, Music Production, Summer Camps, KiddyKeys, and MORE in ONE location! We are the only school in North Western, New Jersey that offers all of these popular instruments and classes in one location. 2. The largest and most qualified teaching faculty We have 16 music & acting teachers, all with college training and/or professional performance experience. Our teachers are dedicated to learning about your personal musical goals and helping you to achieve them. We have several teachers for every instrument and we are confident that we have the right teacher to meet your music lesson needs. We are the only school in the area to have several NJ State DOE Certified Teachers on staff. Want to join or start a band? Want to play/sing in your churches praise team or choir? Want to audition for your high school musical? Want to prepare for a college music program? Want to learn for fun? In addition to their teaching credentials, our teachers have warm personalities, are extremely friendly and dedicated to teaching you the style of music that you want to learn in your music lesson. 3. The widest range of music lesson times available 7 DAYS A WEEK! We are the only music school in North Western NJ that offers music lessons seven days a week from early in the morning to late at night to accommodate your busy schedule. 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday - Friday, by appointment 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, by appointment 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, by appointment 4. A proven track record of excellence since 2016. Visit our testimonial page to see what our students are saying. Strand Studios has a proven track record of offering quality music and acting lessons/classes year round. We have been trusted by lessons by over 1,500 families in the past 8 years. 5. A comfortable parent's lounge for our clients.‍ We have the most spacious and parent friendly waiting area. Our clients enjoy a spacious, professional lounge. We also provide large observation windows on every door so that you can watch your child's lesson or class while you wait. Or if you prefer, you can sit in on their lesson anytime you like. 6. The most technologically advanced and fully stocked music lesson rooms in North Western NJ! Our rooms are stocked with everything you need for music and acting lessons, including amps, stereos, full drum kits with pads, keyboards, pianos and more. All you need to bring is your instrument. We also offer soundproofing and large observation windows. Technology is also a big part of lessons at the Strand Studios. One of the things that has really set us apart is our focus on providing lessons that are fresh, new, and engaging. We're providing a cutting edge lesson experience in the Hackettstown area. 7. Free music recitals with NO participation fees! We are one of the only music schools in North Western NJ that offers free recitals with a baby grand piano in a professional recital hall. Every parent just wants to know how their child is doing & if they are really progressing. The best way for a parent to understand if their investment in lessons is really worth it, is to have their child participate in a recital. In June and December, many of our students choose to perform in our biannual recitals. We even provide a red carpet and step and repeat banner to make it fun! 8. Early morning and lunch time lessons for preschoolers, home schoolers, retirees, college students and working professionals. Since we are the largest school in our area of New Jersey, we are able to be a 'full service' music school. This allows us to offer lessons as early as 8 a.m. and we see many students during daytime hours. If you are a preschool parent, home school parent, retiree, college student or working professional who has a flexible schedule, take advantage of our early morning and lunch time lesson spots. 9. Located on Main Street, in the heart of Hackettstown. Due to its central location, our school is convenient to all areas of Hackettstown. Close to our school, you will find great shopping, dining and the quaint neighborhood of Hackettstown. Our location is convenient to and we have many students from Hackettstown, Long Valley, Washington, Oxford, Hope, Blairstown, Allamuchy, Mansfield, Port Murray, Lebanon, Knowlton, Phillipsburg, Harmony, Budd Lake, Mount Olive, Ledgewood, Roxbury, Mendham, Chester, Netcong, Califon, Stanhope, Andover, and more. Because we also offer lessons online, students all around the county can now study with Strand Studios. We have students studying with us as far away as Texas, Arizona, California, England, and Asia! 10. Picture Day We are the only music school in Northern NJ that offers a picture day for their students. Every Spring and Fall we host a free picture day with professional photographer. This is a service that our student's parents love as they all want quality photos of their children. Adults are welcome too! Students can bring their instruments to the photo shoot and wear whatever they like. 11. Month to Month lessons. Strand Studios does not require semester minimums for lessons. Every student here is on a month-to-month basis. To discontinue lessons, we just need 30 days' written notice. If you are ready to start, you have nothing to lose, as we only want students who truly want to be here and we will not commit you to a long term contract. 12. Family Safety Plan Every lesson room has a clear glass observation window. Each teacher has been background checked Parents are welcome to sit in on any lesson, any time

Each studio is soundproofed and stocked with everything our students need, from pianos, keyboards and full drum kits with pads to amps and stereos. Parents can sit in on their child's lesson, watch through large observation windows, or relax in our spacious and comfortable lobby.

Our students enjoy over 1,000 sq. ft. of Hackettstown’s most advanced music lesson rooms.

Twice a year, we present our Red Carpet recitals in our professional recital hall for our music students. The hall is equipped with a Yamaha G3 baby grand piano, professional sound system, and lighting board. Our acting, musical theatre, and ensemble classes also perform in our recital hall after each semester. **Recitals are not required, for those who would prefer not to participate.